New Study Adds Evidence to Benefits of Full Practice Authority

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the commonwealth issued a temporary blanket waiver that enabled advanced practice nurses, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training to enhance the state’s response to the health-care crisis.

A new study, “Impact of reduced restrictions in scope of practice of nurse anesthetists on patient safety across states,” published in Journal of Nursing Regulation, makes clear that was the right thing to do — and that the move led to real health-care benefits for patients.

The authors examined the impact of the pandemic-related reduced restrictions in scope of practice, specifically allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training, on anesthesia-related complications rates.

What they found is that there was a statistically significant reduction in anesthesia complications in states that allowed pandemic-related reduced restrictions in state scope of practice compared to states with no change in scope of practice.

In other words, the authors concluded that reduced restrictions in state scope of practice during the pandemic were not associated with any increase but in fact showed a decrease in anesthesia-related complications.

These findings add to existing evidence on the safety of anesthesia procedures performed by CRNAs and expand the evidence to include safe procedures during the pandemic. The findings inform strategic planning and public policy to reform the health-care system to prepare prudently for future emergencies.

Read the full report HERE.

Shapiro Makes Push for Full Practice Authority in Budget Speech

Budgets are about more than just numbers. They’re also about policy priorities.

On Feb. 4, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his proposed spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year. In a 91-minute speech before a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in Harrisburg, the governor unveiled his $51 billion blueprint, an increase of approximately 8.5% over the current year.

Beyond the myriad line items, the governor also outlined several initiatives where the legislature and administration could work together to strengthen the state’s health-care network, no matter where residents live.

Among his objectives is granting full practice authority to nurse practitioners. This would allow NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments — including prescribing medications — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.

The effort is not too dissimilar from efforts by the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists to advance scope of practice legislation, which would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training, thus increasing access to high-quality anesthesia care.

According to the administration, there simply aren’t enough primary care physicians to meet the needs of patients in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the commonwealth. Many residents already have experienced the effects via long wait times for appointments, difficulties finding a mental health provider accepting new patients, and having to travel long distances to neighboring counties for prenatal and maternal care.

This is especially true in rural areas, where full practice authority could really help, Shapiro said in his speech. “In rural counties, there is one primary care physician for every 522 residents,” he said.

Full practice authority for NPs has been successfully enacted in 27 other states.

Learn more about the issue HERE.

Take Action for Full Practice Authority with VHA

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has proposed a new rule to increase access to health care for veterans by authorizing Full Practice Authority for all Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses (including CRNAs) who work within the within the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) health-care system.

Adopting the rule would allow CRNAs and all APRNs to practice to the full scope of their education and training while also standardizing VHA policy as recognition of the important work we do. More than 900 CRNAs currently provide every type of anesthesia care, as well as chronic pain management services, for our veterans in the VHA.

Unfortunately, the outcome of the proposed rule is far from certain, which is why we need you to take action. The VA opened a 60-day public comment period on May 24. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard!

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and its coalition partners, including PANA, have long sought this initiative. However, anesthesiologist groups have been pressuring legislators to remove CRNAs from the list of advanced practice registered nurses receiving Full Practice Authority.

This is where you come in. It is critical for the Department of Veterans Affairs to hear from CRNAs like you! Tell the agency you support this change to Full Practice Authority by visiting www.veteransaccesstocare.com and clicking on “Take Action.”

Please share this post with your friends, family and co-workers!

Derek Reckard is the Federal Political Director for PANA and a resident of Finleyville, Pa. He is currently a practicing CRNA at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

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